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Contest Completed | NBA Week 26

Former No. 1 pick Blake Griffin retires after 14 seasons

Tue Apr 16 1:47pm ET
Field Level Media

Former Oklahoma star and No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Blake Griffin retired after 14 seasons on Tuesday.

Griffin announced his retirement on social media, expressing how appreciative he was despite the ups and downs throughout his career.

"I'm thankful for every single moment -- not just the good ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable times spent with family, friends, fans, teammates, and coaches," he wrote.

He continued: "I'm equally thankful for the not-so-good moments: the losses, the injuries, the wayyyy too many surgeries, the lessons, the heartbreaks, and it wouldn't be [a] sports retirement letter without acknowledging the ‘haters.' All of these experiences made my 14 years in the league truly unforgettable, and I can't help but to just feel thankful."


Griffin, 35, was a six-time All-Star forward who won the 2010-11 Rookie of the Year Award with the Los Angeles Clippers, who selected him first overall in the 2009 draft. Griffin missed the 2009-10 season due to a knee injury.

Griffin also made the first of five straight All-Star appearances in 2010-11 and won the Slam Dunk Contest, leaping over a car for a dunk.

Despite the addition of Chris Paul in 2011-12, the Clippers never got past the Western Conference semifinals during the Griffin era and traded him to the Detroit Pistons during the 2017-18 season. Griffin had signed a five-year, $171 million extension with the Clippers a few months earlier.

After stints with the Pistons and Brooklyn Nets, Griffin played last season for the Boston Celtics but did not play in the NBA this season.

His best season came in 2013-14, when he finished third in MVP voting after averaging 24.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

For his career, Griffin averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 765 games (692 starts). He received second-team All-NBA honors three times and third-team All-NBA twice.

Player Notes
Jamal Murray Mon Apr 29 9:20pm

According to TNT's Allie LaForce, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (calf) will play on Monday night versus the Lakers. The 27-year-old was on the injury report because of a left calf strain. While the team is certainly glad to have him out there, he may not be fully healthy. However, Murray has an excellent chance to turn things around after his rough showing in Game 4, making him a viable DFS option for Game 5.

Kristaps Porzingis Mon Apr 29 9:20pm

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (calf) will undergo an MRI on Tuesday. The veteran suffered what the team called right calf tightness before the end of the first half, so he'd finish the night with seven points in 14 minutes. Fortunately, medical personnel don't suspect an Achilles injury. However, the ailment could be enough to keep Porzingis off the floor for Game 5, although it's still too early to speculate. But if he can't go, Al Horford should slide into the starting lineup, with Luke Kornet getting minutes behind him from off the bench.

Kristaps Porzingis Mon Apr 29 9:10pm

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is doubtful to return to Monday's playoff matchup with the Heat. Porzingis was having another rough shooting performance, going 1-for-5 from the field. But even worse, he injured his right calf before the end of the first half. The C's have Game 4 under control, so there's no urgency to bring Porzingis back to the floor. However, the real question now is if he'll be healthy enough to suit up for Game 5. If he can't, Al Horford will likely take over at the five, with Luke Kornet coming in for relief.

Patrick Beverley Mon Apr 29 7:50pm

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Patrick Beverley (oblique) is considered probable for Tuesday's Game 5 against Indiana. He's expected to play through a right oblique muscle strain. The veteran entered the starting unit late in the regular season and has played well in the playoffs. Beverley averages 7.5 points in the series with 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steals on 50 percent shooting from deep. However, the team needs even more from him offensively, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) likely to remain unavailable on Tuesday.

Khris Middleton Mon Apr 29 7:40pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is listed as probable for Tuesday's Game 5 against Indiana. He injured his right ankle early in the series but has remained in the lineup and is expected to lead the charge again on Tuesday. Middleton is Milwaukee's top scoring option, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) sidelined, and he's had 51 efforts from the field across the last two games. Antetokounmpo and Lillard aren't expected to return on Tuesday, so another big effort is expected from Middleton, who's averaged 26.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the series.

Damian Lillard Mon Apr 29 7:40pm

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) is considered doubtful for Tuesday's elimination game against the Pacers. He's set to miss a second consecutive contest after aggravating an Achilles injury in Game 3 of the first-round series. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful, meaning the Bucks are in huge trouble. Malik Beasley came into the starting unit for Lillard in Game 4 and produced a good 20-point performance with 4-for-7 shooting from deep, but the team was clearly beaten 126-113. Khris Middleton (ankle) and Brook Lopez also went for 20-plus points with Milwaukee's top guns sidelined.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Mon Apr 29 7:30pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful for Tuesday's Game 5 against Indiana. The Greek superstar has yet to feature this postseason due to a calf injury, and the doubtful tag makes it unlikely that he will be able to play on Tuesday, even with the team desperately needing him. Sitting in a 3-1 deficit in the series, the Bucks face elimination on Tuesday, but head coach Doc Rivers has indicated that Antetokounmpo won't play until he's 100 percent. Having also lost Damian Lillard (Achilles) to injury, the Bucks received a big 27-point effort from Brook Lopez in Game 4. Khris Middleton (ankle) also carries a heavy burden offensively.

Tyrese Haliburton Mon Apr 29 7:20pm

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton (back) is on the injury report as questionable ahead of Game 5 against Milwaukee on Tuesday. Indiana's breakout star is dealing with lower back spasms and also picked up a late questionable tag ahead of Game 4. Haliburton ended up having his highest-scoring game of the series with 24 points on Sunday, so it appears as though the issue isn't very serious. T.J. McConnell would receive a larger workload if Haliburton needs to come out of the lineup. He's a nifty playmaker who averaged 10.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.8 steals in a starting role during the regular season.

Bojan Bogdanovic Mon Apr 29 6:40pm

New York Knicks guard/forward Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle) won't be available for Tuesday's Game 5 against the 76ers. The veteran sniper was hurt in Sunday's Game 4 and has been ruled out with a left foot contusion. Bogdanovic averaged 16.7 minutes in the first three games of the series before lasting only 1:11 on Sunday. The second unit was led by Precious Achiuwa and Miles McBride in the contest, and the two should have a big part to play again on Tuesday after helping the Knicks grab a 3-1 series lead with effective performances.

Mitchell Robinson Mon Apr 29 6:40pm

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 against Philadelphia. He could be out for a second consecutive contest after skipping Sunday's Game 4 due to an ankle sprain. Robinson warmed up for the game with the intention of playing, but he was ruled out ahead of tip-off after being initially being questionable. Precious Achiuwa saw extra action without Robinson and had a big role defensively in the game with four blocks. After playing him the entire fourth quarter in Game 4, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau could have an important role penciled in for Achiuwa again on Tuesday, even if Robinson is available.

Jalen Brunson Mon Apr 29 6:30pm

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (knee) is probable for Tuesday's Game 5 against Philadelphia. He's on the injury report with a right knee contusion. Brunson battled through knee pain in Game 4, but it didn't appear to affect his performance, as the Knicks star posted a new franchise record for most points in a playoff game with 47. After initially struggling in the series, Brunson has recorded two big double-doubles, and we should see another spectacle from him as the series returns to Madison Square Garden.

Joel Embiid Mon Apr 29 6:20pm

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) has once again been listed as questionable on the injury report, with the team set to continue its first-round battle against the Knicks on Tuesday. Embiid, who continues to recover from a left knee injury, has so far played in all four games in the matchup, surpassing the 40-minute mark in back-to-back contests. He's posted 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals in the playoffs. The 2022-23 regular season MVP has previously struggled in elimination games in his career, notching only 22.0 points per game with 38.8 percent shooting.

Delon Wright Mon Apr 29 6:10pm

Miami Heat point guard Delon Wright (personal) will be available on Monday against Boston. He's returning after missing Game 3 due to the birth of his daughter. Wright has logged 20-plus minutes in both of his two playoff appearances so far and should receive the same kind of workload in Game 4. The 32-year-old is more known for his defensive ability, but Wright also stood out offensively in the series opener with 17 points. He's averaged 11.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals this postseason.

Kevin Durant Mon Apr 29 10:20am

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant scored a very efficient 33 points in Sunday's 122-116 loss to the Timberwolves, finishing with 12-for-17 shooting from the field. Durant averages the third-most points among active players in elimination games, and he produced another high-level performance, but Phoenix needed even more from him as Minnesota completed the first-round sweep on Sunday. Across 46 minutes of action, Durant also came up big defensively by swatting away four shots, and his tally included nine rebounds and five assists. This is the second sweep in four years Durant has suffered since leaving Golden State, and he can't be happy about how things have worked out in Phoenix with the team's Big Three.

Devin Booker Mon Apr 29 10:10am

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Devin Booker set a new playoff career high with 49 points in Sunday's Game 4 loss to Minnesota. The four-time All-Star shot 13-for-21 from the field with a 3-for-5 record from deep and hit 20 of his 21 free throws, but the Suns couldn't stay alive in the series despite Booker's monster effort. Booker, who also posted five rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block on Sunday, is now 0-4 for his career in elimination games. He had previously averaged only 14.0 points in elimination games, so Booker took a major step forward from a personal perspective, but the Suns as a team seem stuck in the same place. Since reaching the Finals in 2021, Phoenix has won only two playoff series, going 10-13 in the postseason.

Karl-Anthony Towns Mon Apr 29 10:00am

Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns played a big part in Sunday's Game 4 victory over Phoenix with 28 points and 10 rebounds. He was a major threat all over the place, nailing four of his six attempts from deep and shooting 11-for-17 overall. He also handed out three assists. Towns finished the series with back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 19.3 points and 9.5 rebounds overall. He hit a very impressive 9-for-17 from outside in four games and will be a massive headache for the next opponent if he keeps this up. The Timberwolves are the first team to qualify for the second round and will meet either Denver or the Lakers next.

Anthony Edwards Mon Apr 29 9:50am

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards went for a team-high 40 points as his squad completed a first-round sweep against Phoenix on Sunday with a 122-116 win. Edwards exploded after being limited to nine points in the first half, shooting 13-for-23 from the field and hitting 7-for-13 from downtown. Minnesota's young superstar also collected nine rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two blocks, breaking a tie with Kevin Garnett for most 30-point playoff games in franchise history. In fact, Edwards has now scored 30-plus points in over half of his 15 postseason appearances. He finished the series against the Suns with a 31-point scoring average.

Jarred Vanderbilt Mon Apr 29 9:40am

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) has been upgraded to questionable ahead of Monday's Game 5 against Denver. He's been out since Feb. 1 with a mid-foot sprain. After missing the start of the season, Vanderbilt featured in only 29 regular-season contests, averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds across 20.0 minutes. He'll be a good addition to the rotation if he plays on Monday, although it's unlikely Vanderbilt will be ready to carry a full workload. The Lakers didn't use Christian Wood at all in Game 4 after he was cleared to return to the lineup after a lengthy absence.

Delon Wright Mon Apr 29 9:40am

Miami Heat point guard Delon Wright (personal) appears ready to return to the lineup on Monday versus Boston, as the team has listed him as probable for the contest. Wright missed Game 3 of the series for personal reasons. He started the playoffs with a big 17-point performance but settled for only five points in Game 2. Terry Rozier's (neck) absence has given Wright an opportunity to average 23.0 minutes per game in the postseason, and he should play a significant part in the rotation again on Monday. However, his inconsistency makes Wright a risky option for DFS managers.

Terry Rozier Mon Apr 29 9:30am

Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier (neck) will remain absent for Game 4 against Boston on Monday. The former Celtic is struggling to overcome neck spasms, which have already sidelined him for nine games. Tyler Herro has taken over a lot of the playmaking duties without Rozier and will continue to lead the charge on Monday. The Heat backcourt is expected to get some help as well, with Delon Wright (personal) on the cusp of returning to the lineup.